Neutrality has been debated over centuries. The chief characteristic of neutrality is non-belligerence. Its main purpose is to safeguard the territorial integrity of the neutral state, its commerce and the living conditions of its inhabitants. The precise definition of neutrality is very difficult to describe and there are some other form of neutral status known as declared by the state, such as: neutralism, neutralization or policy of neutrality. Currently only one of the European neutrals - Switzerland - remains outside the European integration structures, although its connections with the European Union are very tight (bilateral agreements). Therefore Switzerland is often called "a special case" in the European Union. Other neutrals: Ireland, Austria, Finland and Sweden have already joined the European Union and neutrality in Europe is now more a symbol than a policy itself. (original abstract)

Danspeckgruber W., Implications of Contemporary European Economic and Political Developments on Permanent Neutrality: A comparison between Ireland and Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, w: S. Huber, Esterbauer F., The European Neutrals, the Council of Europe and the European Communities, CIFE Austria Publications, Wien 1988, s. 77.